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U.S. Citizenship and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)Immigration Services (USCIS)
New Naturalization Test New Naturalization Test Questions (October 2008) Questions (October 2008)
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1.1. What is the supreme law of What is the supreme law of the land?the land?
A: The ConstitutionA: The Constitution
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2. What does the Constitution 2. What does the Constitution do?do?
A: sets up the governmentA: sets up the government
A: defines the governmentA: defines the government
A: protects basic rights of A: protects basic rights of AmericansAmericans
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3. The idea of self-government 3. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are the Constitution. What are
these words?these words?
A: We the PeopleA: We the People
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4. What is an amendment?4. What is an amendment?
A: a change (to the Constitution)A: a change (to the Constitution)
A: an addition (to the Constitution)A: an addition (to the Constitution)
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5. What do we call the first ten 5. What do we call the first ten amendments to the amendments to the
Constitution?Constitution?
A: The Bill of RightsA: The Bill of Rights
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6. What is one right or 6. What is one right or freedom from the First freedom from the First
Amendment?*Amendment?*
A: speech A: religionA: speech A: religion
A: assembly A: pressA: assembly A: press
A: petition the governmentA: petition the government
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7. How many amendments 7. How many amendments does the Constitution have?does the Constitution have?
A: twenty-seven (27)A: twenty-seven (27)
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8. What did the Declaration of 8. What did the Declaration of Independence do?Independence do?
A: announced our independence A: announced our independence (from Great Britain)(from Great Britain)
A: declared our independence A: declared our independence (from Great Britain)(from Great Britain)
A: said that the United States is A: said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)free (from Great Britain)
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9. What are two rights in the 9. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?Declaration of Independence?
A: lifeA: life
A: libertyA: liberty
A: pursuit of happinessA: pursuit of happiness
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10. What is freedom of 10. What is freedom of religion?religion?
A: You can practice any religion, A: You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.or not practice a religion.
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11. What is the economic 11. What is the economic system in the United States?*system in the United States?*
A: capitalist economyA: capitalist economy
A: market economyA: market economy
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12. What is the "rule of law"?12. What is the "rule of law"?
A: Everyone must follow the law.A: Everyone must follow the law.
A: Leaders must obey the law.A: Leaders must obey the law.
A: Government must obey the A: Government must obey the law.law.
A: No one is above the law.A: No one is above the law.
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13. Name one branch or part 13. Name one branch or part of the government.*of the government.*
A: Congress A: legislativeA: Congress A: legislative
A: President A: executiveA: President A: executive
A: the courts A: judicialA: the courts A: judicial
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14. What stops one branch of 14. What stops one branch of government from becoming government from becoming
too powerful?too powerful?
A: checks and balancesA: checks and balances
A: separation of powersA: separation of powers
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15. Who is in charge of the 15. Who is in charge of the executive branch?executive branch?
A: the PresidentA: the President
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16. Who makes federal laws?16. Who makes federal laws?
A: CongressA: Congress
A: Senate and House (of A: Senate and House (of Representatives)Representatives)
A: (U.S. or national) legislatureA: (U.S. or national) legislature
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17. What are the two parts of 17. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?*the U.S. Congress?*
A: the Senate and House (of A: the Senate and House (of Representatives)Representatives)
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18. How many U.S. Senators 18. How many U.S. Senators are there?are there?
A: one hundred (100)A: one hundred (100)
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19. We elect a U.S. Senator 19. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?for how many years?
A: six (6)A: six (6)
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20. Who is one of your state's 20. Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators?*U.S. Senators?*
A: Bob CaseyA: Bob Casey
A: Pat ToomeyA: Pat Toomey
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21. The House of 21. The House of Representatives has how Representatives has how many voting members?many voting members?
A: four hundred thirty-five (435)A: four hundred thirty-five (435)
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22. We elect a U.S. 22. We elect a U.S. Representative for how many Representative for how many
years?years?
A: two (2)A: two (2)
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23. Name your U.S. 23. Name your U.S. Representative.Representative.
A: Joseph PittsA: Joseph Pitts
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24. Who does a U.S. Senator 24. Who does a U.S. Senator represent?represent?
A: all people of the stateA: all people of the state
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25. Why do some states have 25. Why do some states have more Representatives than more Representatives than
other states?other states?
A: (because of) the state's A: (because of) the state's populationpopulation
A: (because) they have more A: (because) they have more peoplepeople
A: (because) some states have A: (because) some states have more peoplemore people
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26. We elect a President for 26. We elect a President for how many years?how many years?
A: four (4)A: four (4)
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27. In what month do we vote 27. In what month do we vote for President?*for President?*
A: NovemberA: November
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28. What is the name of the 28. What is the name of the President of the United States President of the United States
now?*now?*
A: Barack ObamaA: Barack Obama
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29. What is the name of the 29. What is the name of the Vice President of the United Vice President of the United
States now?States now?
A: Joe BidenA: Joe Biden
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30. If the President can no 30. If the President can no longer serve, who becomes longer serve, who becomes
President?President?
A: the Vice PresidentA: the Vice President
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31. If both the President and 31. If both the President and the Vice President can no the Vice President can no
longer serve, who becomes longer serve, who becomes President?President?
A: the Speaker of the HouseA: the Speaker of the House
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32. Who is the Commander in 32. Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?Chief of the military?
A: the PresidentA: the President
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33. Who signs bills to become 33. Who signs bills to become laws?laws?
A: the PresidentA: the President
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34. Who vetoes bills?34. Who vetoes bills?
A: the PresidentA: the President
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35. What does the President's 35. What does the President's Cabinet do?Cabinet do?
A: advises the PresidentA: advises the President
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36. What are two Cabinet-36. What are two Cabinet-level positions?level positions?
• A: Secretary of AgricultureA: Secretary of Agriculture
• A: Secretary of A: Secretary of CommerceCommerce
• A: Secretary of DefenseA: Secretary of Defense
• A: Secretary of EducationA: Secretary of Education
• A: Secretary of EnergyA: Secretary of Energy
• A: Secretary of Health and A: Secretary of Health and Human ServicesHuman Services
• A: Secretary of Homeland A: Secretary of Homeland SecuritySecurity
• A: Secretary of Housing and A: Secretary of Housing and Urban DevelopmentUrban Development
• A: Secretary of InteriorA: Secretary of Interior• A: Secretary of StateA: Secretary of State• A: Secretary of A: Secretary of
TransportationTransportation• A: Secretary of TreasuryA: Secretary of Treasury• A: Secretary of Veterans' A: Secretary of Veterans'
AffairsAffairs• A: Secretary of LaborA: Secretary of Labor• A: Attorney GeneralA: Attorney General
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37. What does the judicial 37. What does the judicial branch do?branch do?
A: reviews lawsA: reviews laws
A: explains lawsA: explains laws
A: resolves disputes A: resolves disputes (disagreements)(disagreements)
A: decides if a law goes against A: decides if a law goes against the Constitutionthe Constitution
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38. What is the highest court 38. What is the highest court in the United States?in the United States?
A: the Supreme CourtA: the Supreme Court
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39. How many justices are on 39. How many justices are on the Supreme Court?the Supreme Court?
A: nine (9)A: nine (9)
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40. Who is the Chief Justice of 40. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States?the United States?
A: John Roberts A: John Roberts
(John G. Roberts, Jr.)(John G. Roberts, Jr.)
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41. Under our Constitution, some 41. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal powers belong to the federal
government. What is one power government. What is one power of the federal government?of the federal government?
A: to print moneyA: to print money
A: to declare warA: to declare war
A: to create an armyA: to create an army
A: to make treatiesA: to make treaties
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42. Under our Constitution, 42. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the some powers belong to the
states. What is one power of states. What is one power of the states?the states?
A: provide schooling and educationA: provide schooling and education
A: provide protection (police)A: provide protection (police)
A: provide safety (fire departments)A: provide safety (fire departments)
A: give a driver's licenseA: give a driver's license
A: approve zoning and land useA: approve zoning and land use
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43. Who is the Governor of 43. Who is the Governor of your state?your state?
A: Tom CorbettA: Tom Corbett
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44. What is the capital of your 44. What is the capital of your state?*state?*
A: HarrisburgA: Harrisburg
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45. What are the two major 45. What are the two major political parties in the United political parties in the United
States?*States?*
A: Democratic and RepublicanA: Democratic and Republican
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46. What is the political party 46. What is the political party of the President now?of the President now?
A: Democrat (Party)A: Democrat (Party)
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47. What is the name of the 47. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Speaker of the House of Representatives now?Representatives now?
A: John BoehnerA: John Boehner
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48. There are four 48. There are four amendments to the amendments to the
Constitution about who can Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.vote. Describe one of them.
A: Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).A: Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).
A: You don't have to pay (a poll tax) to vote.A: You don't have to pay (a poll tax) to vote.
A: Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can A: Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.)vote.)
A: A male citizen of any race (can vote).A: A male citizen of any race (can vote).
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49. What is one responsibility 49. What is one responsibility that is only for United States that is only for United States
citizens?*citizens?*
A: serve on a juryA: serve on a jury
A: voteA: vote
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50. What are two rights only 50. What are two rights only for United States citizens?for United States citizens?
A: apply for a federal jobA: apply for a federal job
A: voteA: vote
A: run for officeA: run for office
A: carry a U.S. passportA: carry a U.S. passport
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51. What are two rights of 51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United everyone living in the United
States?States?
A: freedom of expressionA: freedom of expression
A: freedom of speechA: freedom of speech
A: freedom of assemblyA: freedom of assembly
A: freedom to petition the governmentA: freedom to petition the government
A: freedom of worshipA: freedom of worship
A: the right to bear armsA: the right to bear arms
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52. What do we show loyalty 52. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of to when we say the Pledge of
Allegiance?Allegiance?
A: the United StatesA: the United States
A: the flagA: the flag
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53. What is one promise you 53. What is one promise you make when you become a make when you become a
United States citizen?United States citizen?
A: give up loyalty to other countriesA: give up loyalty to other countries
A: defend the Constitution and laws of the United StatesA: defend the Constitution and laws of the United States
A: obey the laws of the United StatesA: obey the laws of the United States
A: serve in the U.S. military (if needed)A: serve in the U.S. military (if needed)
A: serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed)A: serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed)
A: be loyal to the United StatesA: be loyal to the United States
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54. How old do citizens have 54. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?*to be to vote for President?*
A: eighteen (18) and olderA: eighteen (18) and older
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55. What are two ways that 55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in Americans can participate in
their democracy?their democracy?
A: voteA: vote A: join a political partyA: join a political party
A: help with a campaignA: help with a campaign A: join a civic groupA: join a civic group
A: join a community groupA: join a community group
A: give an elected official your opinion on an issueA: give an elected official your opinion on an issue
A: call Senators and RepresentativesA: call Senators and Representatives
A: publicly support or oppose an issue or policyA: publicly support or oppose an issue or policy
A: run for officeA: run for office A: write to a newspaperA: write to a newspaper
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56. When is the last day you 56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax can send in federal income tax
forms?*forms?*
A: April 15A: April 15
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57. When must all men 57. When must all men register for the Selective register for the Selective
Service?Service?A: at age eighteen (18)A: at age eighteen (18)
A: between eighteen (18) and twenty-six A: between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26)(26)
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58. What is one reason 58. What is one reason colonists came to America?colonists came to America?
A: freedomA: freedom
A: political libertyA: political liberty
A: religious freedomA: religious freedom
A: economic opportunityA: economic opportunity
A: practice their religionA: practice their religion
A: escape persecutionA: escape persecution
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59. Who lived in America 59. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?before the Europeans arrived?
A: Native AmericansA: Native Americans
A: American IndiansA: American Indians
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60. What group of people was 60. What group of people was taken to America and sold as taken to America and sold as
slaves?slaves?A: AfricansA: Africans
A: people from AfricaA: people from Africa
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61. Why did the colonists fight 61. Why did the colonists fight the British?the British?
A: because of high taxes (taxation without A: because of high taxes (taxation without representation)representation)
A: because the British army stayed in their A: because the British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering)houses (boarding, quartering)
A: because they didn't have self-governmentA: because they didn't have self-government
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62. Who wrote the Declaration 62. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?of Independence?
A: (Thomas) JeffersonA: (Thomas) Jefferson
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63. When was the Declaration 63. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?of Independence adopted?
A: July 4, 1776A: July 4, 1776
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64. There were 13 original 64. There were 13 original states. Name three.states. Name three.
A: New HampshireA: New Hampshire A: MassachusettsA: Massachusetts
A: Rhode IslandA: Rhode Island A: ConnecticutA: Connecticut
A: New YorkA: New York A: New JerseyA: New Jersey
A: PennsylvaniaA: Pennsylvania A: DelawareA: Delaware
A: MarylandA: Maryland A: VirginiaA: Virginia
A: North CarolinaA: North Carolina A: South CarolinaA: South Carolina
A: GeorgiaA: Georgia
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65. What happened at the 65. What happened at the Constitutional Convention?Constitutional Convention?
A: The Constitution was written.A: The Constitution was written.
A: The Founding Fathers wrote the A: The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution.Constitution.
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66. When was the Constitution 66. When was the Constitution written?written?
A: 1787A: 1787
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67. The Federalist Papers 67. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one U.S. Constitution. Name one
of the writers.of the writers.A: (James) MadisonA: (James) Madison
A: (Alexander) HamiltonA: (Alexander) Hamilton
A: (John) JayA: (John) Jay
A: PubliusA: Publius
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68. What is one thing 68. What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous Benjamin Franklin is famous
for?for?A: U.S. diplomatA: U.S. diplomat
A: oldest member of the Constitutional ConventionA: oldest member of the Constitutional Convention
A: first Postmaster General of the United StatesA: first Postmaster General of the United States
A: writer of "Poor Richard's Almanac"A: writer of "Poor Richard's Almanac"
A: started the first free librariesA: started the first free libraries
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69. Who is the "Father of Our 69. Who is the "Father of Our Country"?Country"?
A: (George) WashingtonA: (George) Washington
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70. Who was the first 70. Who was the first President?*President?*
A: (George) WashingtonA: (George) Washington
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71. What territory did the 71. What territory did the United States buy from France United States buy from France
in 1803?in 1803?
A: the Louisiana TerritoryA: the Louisiana Territory
A: LouisianaA: Louisiana
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72. Name one war fought by 72. Name one war fought by the United States in the the United States in the
1800s.1800s.
A: War of 1812A: War of 1812
A: Mexican-American WarA: Mexican-American War
A: Civil WarA: Civil War
A: Spanish-American WarA: Spanish-American War
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73. Name the U.S. war 73. Name the U.S. war between the North and the between the North and the
South.South.
A: the Civil WarA: the Civil War
A: the War between the StatesA: the War between the States
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74. Name one problem that 74. Name one problem that led to the Civil War.led to the Civil War.
A: slaveryA: slavery
A: economic reasonsA: economic reasons
A: states' rightsA: states' rights
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75. What was one important 75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln thing that Abraham Lincoln
did?*did?*A: freed the slaves (Emancipation A: freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)Proclamation)
A: saved (or preserved) the UnionA: saved (or preserved) the Union
A: led the United States during the Civil WarA: led the United States during the Civil War
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76. What did the 76. What did the Emancipation Proclamation Emancipation Proclamation
do?do?A: freed the slavesA: freed the slaves
A: freed slaves in the ConfederacyA: freed slaves in the Confederacy
A: freed slaves in the Confederate statesA: freed slaves in the Confederate states
A: freed slaves in most Southern statesA: freed slaves in most Southern states
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77. What did Susan B. 77. What did Susan B. Anthony do?Anthony do?
A: fought for women's rightsA: fought for women's rights
A: fought for civil rightsA: fought for civil rights
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78. Name one war fought by 78. Name one war fought by the United States in the the United States in the
1900s.*1900s.*
A: World War IA: World War I
A: World War IIA: World War II
A: Korean WarA: Korean War
A: Vietnam WarA: Vietnam War
A: (Persian) Gulf WarA: (Persian) Gulf War
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79. Who was President during 79. Who was President during World War I?World War I?
A: (Woodrow) WilsonA: (Woodrow) Wilson
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80. Who was President during 80. Who was President during the Great Depression and the Great Depression and
World War II?World War II?
A: (Franklin) RooseveltA: (Franklin) Roosevelt
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81. Who did the United States 81. Who did the United States fight in World War II?fight in World War II?
A: Japan, Germany and ItalyA: Japan, Germany and Italy
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82. Before he was President, 82. Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. Eisenhower was a general.
What war was he in?What war was he in?
A: World War IIA: World War II
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83. During the Cold War, what 83. During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the was the main concern of the
United States?United States?
A: CommunismA: Communism
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84. What movement tried to 84. What movement tried to end racial discrimination?end racial discrimination?
A: civil rights (movement)A: civil rights (movement)
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85. What did Martin Luther 85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*King, Jr. do?*
A: fought for civil rightsA: fought for civil rights
A: worked for equality for all AmericansA: worked for equality for all Americans
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86. What major event 86. What major event happened on September 11, happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States?2001 in the United States?
A: Terrorists attacked the United States.A: Terrorists attacked the United States.
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87. Name one American 87. Name one American Indian tribe in the United Indian tribe in the United
States.States.A: CherokeeA: Cherokee A: NavajoA: Navajo A: SiouxA: Sioux
A: ChippewaA: Chippewa A: ChoctawA: Choctaw A: PuebloA: Pueblo
A: ApacheA: Apache A: IroquoisA: Iroquois A: CreekA: Creek
A: BlackfeetA: Blackfeet A: SeminoleA: Seminole A: CheyenneA: Cheyenne
A: ArawakA: Arawak A: ShawneeA: Shawnee A: MoheganA: Mohegan
A: HuronA: Huron A: OneidaA: Oneida A: LakotaA: Lakota
A: CrowA: Crow A: TetonA: Teton A: HopiA: Hopi
A: InuitA: Inuit
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88. Name one of the two 88. Name one of the two longest rivers in the United longest rivers in the United
States.States.
A: Missouri (River)A: Missouri (River)
A: Mississippi (River)A: Mississippi (River)
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89. What ocean is on the 89. What ocean is on the West Coast of the United West Coast of the United
States?States?
A: Pacific (Ocean)A: Pacific (Ocean)
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90. What ocean is on the East 90. What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?Coast of the United States?
A: Atlantic (Ocean)A: Atlantic (Ocean)
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91. Name one U.S. territory.91. Name one U.S. territory.
A: Puerto RicoA: Puerto Rico
A: U.S. Virgin IslandsA: U.S. Virgin Islands
A: American SamoaA: American Samoa
A: Northern Mariana IslandsA: Northern Mariana Islands
A: GuamA: Guam
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92. Name one state that 92. Name one state that borders Canada.borders Canada.
A: MaineA: Maine A: New HampshireA: New Hampshire A: VermontA: Vermont
A: New YorkA: New York A: PennsylvaniaA: Pennsylvania A: OhioA: Ohio
A: MichiganA: Michigan A: MinnesotaA: Minnesota A: MontanaA: Montana
A: IdahoA: Idaho A: WashingtonA: Washington A: AlaskaA: Alaska
A: North DakotaA: North Dakota
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93. Name one state that 93. Name one state that borders Mexico.borders Mexico.
A: CaliforniaA: California
A: ArizonaA: Arizona
A: New MexicoA: New Mexico
A: TexasA: Texas
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94. What is the capital of the 94. What is the capital of the United States?*United States?*
A: Washington, D.C.A: Washington, D.C.
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95. Where is the Statue of 95. Where is the Statue of Liberty?*Liberty?*
A: New York (Harbor)A: New York (Harbor)
A: Liberty IslandA: Liberty Island
[Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New [Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).]York City, and on the Hudson (River).]
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96. Why does the flag have 13 96. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?stripes?
A: because there were 13 original coloniesA: because there were 13 original colonies
A: because the stripes represent the original A: because the stripes represent the original coloniescolonies
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97. Why does the flag have 50 97. Why does the flag have 50 stars?*stars?*
A: because there is one star for each stateA: because there is one star for each state
A: because each star represents a stateA: because each star represents a state
A: because there are 50 statesA: because there are 50 states
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98. What is the name of the 98. What is the name of the national anthem?national anthem?
A: The Star-Spangled BannerA: The Star-Spangled Banner
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99. When do we celebrate 99. When do we celebrate Independence Day?*Independence Day?*
A: July 4A: July 4
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100. Name two national U.S. 100. Name two national U.S. holidays.holidays.
A: New Year's DayA: New Year's Day A: Martin Luther King, Jr., DayA: Martin Luther King, Jr., Day
A: Presidents' DayA: Presidents' Day A: Memorial DayA: Memorial Day
A: Independence DayA: Independence Day A: Labor DayA: Labor Day
A: Columbus DayA: Columbus Day A: Veterans DayA: Veterans Day
A: ThanksgivingA: Thanksgiving A: ChristmasA: Christmas
